[Intro]
D G Em A
D G Em A
[Verse 1]
D G
I think we could use a couple umbrella beach chairs
Em A
And some waves in our Ray-Ban view
D G
Got a little overtime money that I saved up
Em A
Oughta get us by for a week or two
[Verse 2]
D G
I wanna see the sun settin' on you
Em A
We can get some tan line tattoos
D G Em
Drop a lime in a made-in-Mexico beer
N.C.
Somewhere south of here
[Chorus]
D G
There's a white sand beach just waitin'
Em A
A hammock tied to some palm trees swayin'
D G
We can listen to the white caps breakin'
Em A
Me and the salt air kissin' on you
D G
Sippin' beach bar margaritas
Em A
Whatcha say, little señorita?
D G Em
It's about island time we disappear
A D G Em A
Somewhere south of here
[Verse 3]
D G
It's about a 3-hour flight to the islands
Em A
And a 7-hour drive to the coast
D G
As long as it's blue on a map, I'm good with it
Em
Baby, let's go
Em
Let's go, baby
A
Somewhere south of here
[Chorus]
D G
There's a white sand beach just waitin'
Em A
A hammock tied to some palm trees swayin'
D G
We can listen to the white caps breakin'
Em A
Me and the salt air kissin' on you
D G
Sippin' beach bar margaritas
Em A
Whatcha say, little señorita?
D G Em
It's about island time we disappear
A D G Em
Somewhere south of here
A D G Em A
Somewhere south of here
[Chorus]
D G
There's a white sand beach just waitin'
Em A
A hammock tied to some palm trees swayin'
D G
We can listen to the white caps breakin'
Em A
Me and the salt air kissin' on you
D G
Sippin' beach bar margaritas
Em A
Whatcha say, little señorita?
D G Em
It's about island time we disappear
A D G Em
Somewhere south of here
[Outro]
A D G
Somewhere south of here
Em
Let's go
A N.C.
Somewhere south of here
Understanding the Chords
This song uses the chords D, G, Em, and A, which are common in many guitar
songs and are accessible to beginners. Here's a quick refresher on fingering
these chords:
D major: Index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, ring finger on the 3rd fret
of the B string, and middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string. Strum from
the D string down.
G major: Middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, index finger on the 2nd
fret of the A string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string (add pinky
for fuller sound on the 3rd fret of the B string). Strum all strings.
E minor (Em): Index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and middle finger on
the 2nd fret of the D string. Strum all strings.
A major: Index, middle, and ring fingers on the 2nd frets of the D, G, and B strings,
respectively. Strum from the A string down.
Playing the Song
Intro and Verses
The intro sets the scene with a cycle of D, G, Em, A chords, establishing the
song's laid-back, tropical vibe. Use a relaxed strumming pattern, such as
down-down-up-up-down-up, to mirror the easygoing atmosphere the song portrays.
In the verses, the chord progression underlines the narrative of escaping to a serene,
beachside setting. The progression from D to G to Em and A mirrors the journey from
everyday life to an idyllic retreat. Pay attention to the lyrics as you play, allowing the
chords to flow smoothly to match the song's storytelling.
Chorus
The chorus is where the song's theme of escape and relaxation is fully realized.
The same chord progression continues but focus on dynamics and emotion here.
Let the chords ring and resonate, particularly on the A chord, to highlight the moments
of anticipation and release in the song's narrative.
Strum more forcefully here to bring out the chorus's uplifting and freeing feel.
The transition between chords should feel seamless, contributing to the song's
overall fluidity and the sense of an uninterrupted getaway.
Outro
The outro revisits the song's main themes, both lyrically and musically. It's a gentle
reminder of the song's escapist dreams, winding down the adventure but leaving
the door open to the imagination. Maintain the established strumming pattern but
gradually soften your play to bring the song to a natural and satisfying close.
Performance Tips
Emphasize the transitions between chords to maintain the song's flow and continuity.
Experiment with the dynamics of your strumming to match the lyrical and emotional
content—play softer during verses and with more intensity during the chorus.
Feel free to add a personal touch by experimenting with tempo or even introducing a
light fingerpicking pattern during the intro or outro for variety.
Most importantly, connect with the song's themes of wanderlust and relaxation.
Let the music transport you and your audience to "Somewhere South of Here."